Society of Presentation Sisters in Ministry

Presentation Sisters of Australia and Papua New Guinea

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Working against Trafficking in Humans

Two years ago I spent seven months in New York, as one of the representatives of the International Presentation Association (IPA) at the United Nations. This experience changed the way I viewed global issues and approached my ministry. In the role of IPA Justice Contact in my Congregation,  I have many opportunities to implement what I learned there in 2010. It colours the way I interact with various groups, who focus on a wide range of issues from sustainable living to human rights. One example of this is the way my involvement in the mission of IPA has affected my work with Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans (ACRATH). As a member of ACRATH, I have endless opportunities to work with numerous other groups on issues around human trafficking, shame marriages, forced labour, fair trade, human rights and poverty. The IPA experience at the UN has enabled me to look at human trafficking from a more informed and global perspective. I can now raise questions such as, why so many people in developing countries are so vulnerable to traffickers, in a more informed way. One obvious solution is that we support the move to enable more girls to receive an education. This was one of the objectives of ACRATH’s last visit to Canberra where we were able to speak with members of the Australian Federal Parliament on Human Trafficking. One of the points we raised was the need for AusAid funding to be increased and more of this aid to be distributed to girl’s education.

As part of my ministry I visit schools and community groups to speak on Human Trafficking and an appropriate response to this crime. I particularly appreciate working with students in our Presentation Colleges where the seeds of justice have been sown so well. I find the students open and eager to assist in whatever way they can in the fight against trafficking in persons. In my presentations I also focus on the work of the UN. As I am presently in contact with members of the NGO (Non-Governmental Organisation) Committee to Stop Trafficking in Persons in New York, I am able to share what I learn from this group with members of ACRATH. I am proud of IPA’s contribution to the work of this NGO Committee.

Joan Kennedy of the Victoria Congregation, April 2012

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THE SISTERS’ PLACE – a safe night shelter for homeless women

The work of the Spirit never ceases to amaze me as I now find myself sharing a home at night with homeless women.

The Sisters’ Place was established in 2007 by five local Congregations of women including Presentation Sisters. It is staffed by volunteers both religious and lay and managed by a salaried coordinator. The Sisters’ Place is set up to house women who are living on the streets. Overnight stay, shower, bed, clean clothes and rest are provided.

All the work is carried out by women who volunteer their time – from picking up women from the streets of Fremantle, preparing and maintaining the house, settling the women at night, sleeping over and cleaning and doing the laundry. Maura and I do volunteer service a couple of nights a week.

The Mission of The Sisters’ Place is to relieve suffering and bring hope and dignity to homeless women. It is my privilege to humbly spend time with these women and to be continually blessed by their kindness, grace and gratitude.

Marion Beard of the Western Australia Congregation

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Pastoral Leadership in a Faith Community

For the past fifteen years I have been involved with parish faith communities as Pastoral Leader where there was no resident priest. When I embarked on this ministry the question posed to me by one of our sisters was, “What will you do on the first day?” She realised the unmapped terrain of the venture. Her question invited me to reflect, not so much on what I would do, but rather on why I had accepted the ministry and what was its purpose. After much whittling away at what I thought it was all about I was held by the words put on Jesus’ lips, “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full”, followed by “Eternal life is this, to know you the one true God and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” (Jn 17:3)

At present, I am fortunate to have been invited into leadership within the St Thomas More’s Faith Community in Toowoomba, Queensland. Here is a community that thirsts for knowledge of and relationship with God as revealed to us in and by Jesus. Their desire is for a life of faith that makes sense in and of the reality of their lives. They find this in living their daily lives against the backdrop of the Scriptures and a developing theology.

The Faith Community has been shaped by and gives expression to the Gospel through the lens of the Social Teaching of the Church. Rather than launch immediately into action for justice we are aware of the need for a grounding in the heart of Christ as the channel for opening hearts and minds before we encounter on specific acts.

To this end a commitment has been made to Faith education and the development of spirituality that is grounded in current theology.

Much thought and planning goes into the prayer life of the community. The weekly Eucharist is reflective and vibrant – a place to gather as a people who make Christ real in the society into which they are commissioned each week.

Emphasis is given to an on-going understanding of the call of Baptism and its thrust that we are to be the face of Christ at the coal face of life – at home, at work, at school and at play. The community has undertaken support of refugees, with particular emphasis on educational needs. As an on-going commitment, our community has undertaken to support a local refuge for Indigenous women who have suffered domestic violence. In conjunction with this the men of our community were asked to commit to saying ‘No’ to violence against women by supporting the White Ribbon Day and to pledge themselves to this within a Sunday Eucharist. Christmas is a time when the outreach is extended to local people on the land, overseas aid and educational support for local Indigenous children and migrants.

Such a vision is embodied in contemporary society and church. Much time and effort has gone into developing structures to enable people to work together to promote the mission of Jesus and so make real the dream of God for our world.

We find ourselves reflected in the description of the early church community. We meet for the breaking of bread – both in liturgy and in the sharing of our lives. There is the daily distribution of bread and the sharing of resources. There is a palpable sense of welcome and we are grateful to be able to say that our numbers are increasing as young families are finding the community a place where they can contribute and also be nourished.

I am extremely grateful for the chance to be part of a community that brings to life the values that I hold and which allows me to give expression to my own call as a member of the human family who as a baptised, Presentation Religious who is committed to developing within community the dream of God for our world, made visible in Jesus.

Patsy Grundy of the Queensland Congregation, May 2011

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Healing, Sustaining and Reconciling in a Correctional Centre

Junee Correctional Centre is a medium to low security gaol. There are 790 inmates from all parts of Australia and overseas. I aim to provide a ministry of healing, sustaining and reconciling, to inmates and their families, in times of crisis, illness, depression or death in a family. My ministry also extends to the staff members who work in stressful situations.

I work with two other Chaplains (Baptist and Anglican). We coordinate Church Services, conduct Loss and Grief sessions and organise Memorial Services when an inmate is not permitted to attend a family funeral. We also facilitate the ‘Kairos Programme’. The word ‘Kairos’ means ‘God’s Special Time’. The programme is conducted by twenty-five volunteer men from different denominations in the community. The course is conducted over three days in the gaol, and is offered to twenty-five inmates. After each Kairos we have a weekly ‘Journey Programme’ as a follow-up. When possible, the community volunteers attend these sessions. This programme offers inmates friendship and a feeling of hope … there are people out there who care!

It is often forgotten prisons are about people. Prisons are about community, a community of many layers, complications and unique challenges.

Rosemary Terry of the Wagga Wagga Congregation

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Community-building in a School Community

Being part of the school community at Iona Presentation College I have many opportunities to encourage and be part of the ongoing community-building efforts and to help promote general enthusiasm, by:

• supporting staff pastorally and practically, in a variety of ways
• promoting literacy and an interest in/love of  language
• helping to organize and prepare good liturgical experiences – including boarding students’ involvement in parish worship
• as part of the Religious Education Team, preparing resources and assisting with the sacramental program, facilitating students’ class participation in the sacrament of Reconciliation, and teaching lower school Religious Education.

While these are things I do – hopefully my being here promotes a sense of hope, worthwhileness, care and hospitality.

Flora Ricupero of the Western Australia Congregation, February 2011

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Working with those who are poor in Thailand

I am working full-time in the little poor school at Dongkrabune Ratchaburi, named Thapinwittaya school. I also work with COERR (Catholic Office for Emergency Relief and Refugees). I am a COERR Director of the Ratchaburi diocese and work on a project called “Healing of Memory and Reconciliation” in nine camps, along the Thai–Mia Mya border as a program co-ordinator. At Ma Hong Son I have 4 camps, at Masort I have 3 camps, in Ratchaburi I have 1 camp, and Kanchanaburi at Sangkraburi very close to the border I have 1 camp. So please pray that the work of Nano’s daughter would give glory to God through our Presentation charism.

Cecilia Suwannee Phetpanomporn of the Western Australia Congregation

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Supporting the Elderly and Other Vulnerable Women

Residing in a complex of forty units for over 55s I see my main ministry at home as being the gifts of peace, joy, love, patience, etc (Gal 5:22). My paid ministry is as a support worker for the elderly whereby I go to their homes and assist with whatever needs to be done – personal care, medications, meal preparations, domestic assistance. For many of the people I may be the only other person they see in a day so I see it as very important that I live “good news” to them. My voluntary work is providing social and prayer support to abortion-vulnerable women and then assisting with practical support with the baby.

Frances Hayes of the Western Australia Congregation

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Being a Presence Amongst the Poor in Peru

Our challenge as Presentation Sisters in Lima (Peru) is to be a presence amongst the poor, living as they live, experiencing life from their perspective. Flowing from this, we focus our energies on changing the mentalities and structures which keep the women so oppressed. Training in work skills, education, manual crafts, self-esteem, dance, aerobics, alternative medicines, etc, help them to discover their own worth and dignity as women and this does change the quality of their lives and the lives of their children.

Margaret Kehoe of the Queensland Congregation

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Believing Women for a Culture of Peace

Many Sisters of the Queensland Congregation participate in Peace Rallies and Marches. Some are pictured here with friends from other religious orders marching in Brisbane under the banner “Believing Women for a Culture of Peace” on the first anniversary of war being declared on Iraq.